vegan (pronounced VEE-gun) is someone who
consumes only plant products. While vegetarians avoid flesh foods, vegans
also reject the exploitation and abuse inherent in the making of dairy and
egg products, as well as in clothing from animal sources. While leading a
purely vegan life may be difficult for many, anyone who strives towards
this goal can consider themselves to be practicing vegans.

eganism, the natural extension of
vegetarianism, is an integral component of a

cruelty-free lifestyle. Living vegan provides numerous
benefits: to animals’ lives and to the ecological sustainability of our
environment, as well as to ourselves, by protecting our bodies from the
dietary problems associated with consumption of animal products.

Animals

The meat and dairy industry abuses billions of chickens,
cows, and other animals in producing milk and egg products each year. The
animals suffer unspeakable cruelties in order to maximize their output of
milk and eggs. Most live their short lives caged, drugged, mutilated, and
deprived. Today’s farms are not like the ones most of us learned about in
school; they are mechanized factories where animal welfare is of less
concern than profit. Veganism emerges as the lifestyle most consistent
with the philosophy that animals are not ours to eat.

Environment

Animal agriculture takes a devastating toll on the
earth. It is an inefficient way of producing food, squandering the vast
majority of all grain grown in the U.S., as well as much of our water.
This increased dependence on high yields exacerbates the problem of
topsoil erosion on our farmlands, rendering land less and less productive
for crop cultivation, and forcing the conversion of wilderness lands to
grazing and farm lands. Animal waste is a disposal problem on today’s
massive feedlots and factory farms, poisoning groundwater and rivers.
Further, the disastrous effects of cattle ranching have degraded thousands
of acres in every western state as well as being a major contributor to
rainforest destruction.

Health

Consumption of animal fats and proteins has been linked
to heart disease, colon and breast cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, and a
whole host of other debilitating conditions. Vegan foods, such as whole
grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans, are low in fat, especially
saturated fat, contain no cholesterol, and are rich in fiber and
nutrients. Plus, vegans get the perfect amount of protein. Cows’ milk
contains ideal amounts of fat and protein for young calves, but far too
much for humans! Eating eggs may be the surest way to get a heart attack,
as they are higher in cholesterol than any other food.